How to Write Noteworthy Characteristics

What is the Goal of the MSPE?

The AAMC states that the goal of the MSPE is to “provide an honest and objective summary of the student’s personal attributes, experiences, and academic accomplishments based, to the greatest degree possible, on verifiable information and summative evaluations. When possible, comparative assessments of the student’s attributes, experiences, and accomplishments relative to their institutional peers should be provided. The MSPE should primarily contain information about the student’s medical school performance, although a brief summary of verifiable premedical experiences and achievements can be included when relevant. The MSPE is a summary letter of evaluation, not a letter of recommendation. Information presented in the MSPE must be standardized, clear, and concise and presented in such a way that allows information to be easily located within the document.”

What are noteworthy characteristics?

These allow residency programs information to see what a candidate is most proud of in regards to their background of experiences, characteristics, leadership and mentorship qualities.

What are the guidelines regarding writing noteworthy characteristics?

·      Provide a maximum of three characteristics highlighting the most salient noteworthy characteristics of the student.

·  This section should be presented as a bulleted list. Each characteristic should be described in 2 sentences or less (60-80 words for each characteristic). Information about any significant challenges or hardships encountered by the student during medical school may be included.

·  Lengthy biographical descriptions are not recommended due to the time required for review and because these details can be found in other sections of the applicant’s portfolio (e.g., ERAS application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, interviews).

How do I prepare for them?

Look at your CV and review the different experiences that you’ve had and ascertain different overall major themes that you want residency programs to know about you and what is important to you. Common themes include:

1)       health advocacy and addressing healthy disparities

2)       Community service, ie Riverside Free Clinic, Coachella Valley Free Clinic

3)       Research (especially if you took a research year, this should be highlighted and discuss what your research was in, what you learned and what was the outcome)

4)       Leadership positions

5)       Mentoring, teaching, tutoring activities (whether as part of a designated emphasis, or serving as an anatomy tutor/step tutor)

6)       Life experiences

What are examples of noteworthy characteristics?

• During her second year, Jill served as the student coordinator for the Community-Based Sanctuary Clinic and secured a $500,000 grant from the United Way of Maine to equip a new seven-room ophthalmology suite for the facility.

• Joe began has been conducting research with Myrna Loy, MD, PhD, on the subject of epigenetic factors influencing childhood obesity since the end of his first year of medical school. This research has resulted in a series of publications including one with him as first author in the journal Lancet.

When are the noteworthy characteristics due?

They are due to the Office of Career and Residency Advising by June 30th .

How does Student Affairs assist me with this?

You can make an appointment with Dr. Nguyen or Jennifer Wilson to go over your noteworthy characteristics.